LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Benguet athletes brought home a haul of medals from recent international combat sports competition in Hong Kong, China, and Thailand, bringing pride and honor to the province on the global stage.
Leading the recent victories was Shandris Nganhayna who captured Gold Medal in the 54Kg K1 Division at the 2nd Cross-Strait Cities Kickboxing Invitational Tournament held at Sai Kung, Hong Kong on August 13-16, under the guidance of Coach Bryan Olod.
In China, Benguet athletes also delivered impressive performances at the 2026 Sanya, Hainan International Combat Sports Open and Elite Invitational Tournament, held August 5–10 are Jhay Sharezer B Gayman (40kg U12): Silver Medal – Muay Thai; Bronze Medal – Point Fighting; Sharma Devaiah (55kg Senior): Gold Medal – No-Gi; Three Silver Medal – LC, K1, and K1 Light Gerwin Lete (55kg U18): Gold Medal – Wushu Sanda; Silver Medal – K1 Light; Two Bronze Medals – K1 and FC; ISKA 55kg Youth Title Challenger Neil James Calabias (60kg U18): Three Bronze Medals – K1, Muay Thai, and K1 Light.
Gregory Mamuad (55kg U16): 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬 – Point Fighting and LC; 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬 – K1 and K1 Light𝐉𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐧: 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥– BJJ No-Gi (60kg); 55kg ISKA World Title Challenger
Meanwhile, at the Siamyut Global Heritage MuayThai Championship in Samutsongkram, Thailand, held August 4–12, 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 won 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 in Waikru Doubles and Silver in Professional Muay Thai; 𝐄𝐫𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 earned 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 in Waikru Doubles and Silver in Pro-Am Muay Thai; 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 took 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 in Professional Muay Thai; while 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐚-𝐚𝐧 won 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 in Amateur Muay Thai and 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 in Male Waikru Singles. The Muay Thai athletes were under Head Coach 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞.
Governor Dr. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬 congratulated the athletes for their outstanding performances and for bringing honor to the province, while monetary support and certificates of recognition from the Provincial Government was likewise extended following their participation in the international competitions.
